How to Transplant Frangipani Trees

Select a sunny, sheltered location in the garden where the frangipani tree receives at least six hours of direct sun daily. Avoid planting in windy locations; high winds may break the branches and damage the blossoms.

Dig a planting hole twice as wide and at the same depth as the root ball in early spring as the weather begins to warm. Fill the hole with water and allow it to soak into the soil. Consider building a raised planting bed for your frangipani tree if the soil is heavy clay or does not drain well.

Cut the grower pot down the sides and across the bottom with shears or a utility knife. Carefully place the pot into the planting hole, keeping the soil even with the top of the planting hole. While your helper steadies the tree, pull the pot apart, settling the tree into the soil. Frangipani roots are brittle and easily broken; handle the tree gently.

Backfill the planting hole with soil. Tamp gently with your hands. Insert a tree stake 12 to 18 inches deep on each side of the frangipani, 1 foot from the trunk. Use tree ties to steady the tree and keep it straight.

Water the tree thoroughly. Wait until the soil is dry before watering it again. Frangipani are drought-tolerant trees and are killed by overwatering.

Add a 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree, pulling it back 6 inches from the trunk. Mulch helps the soil retain water and inhibits weed growth.

Fertilize quarterly with a 3-12-12 fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Watch for pests such as ants, borers, mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies. Frangipani may also suffer from plumeria rust after long periods of wet weather, indicated by an orange powder on the undersides of the leaves.